In the three-match women’s ODI series against reigning world champions India at Hobart on Friday, Georgia Voll (101) made the most of three lifelines while Phoebe Litchfield blasted a fierce 80 to propel Australia to a five-wicket victory and an unbeatable 2-0 lead.
Australia won with 13.5 overs to spare after India scored 251/9 on a batting-friendly wicket thanks to fifties from Pratika Rawal (52) and Harmanpreet Kaur (54). After wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh lost a catch down the leg, Voll was able to scramble for a single and finish her century. Before she scored her second ODI century, she was dropped thrice.
The hosts had earlier lost the T20ls 1-2, but Voll’s 119 runs for the second wicket with Litchfield left Australia on course for victory.
When Kranti Gaud lost a difficult opportunity to dive to her front at long on off Deepti Sharma in the 14th over, the 22-year-old was on 19. Later, Smriti Mandhana missed a golden opportunity off Kashvee Gautam at deep mid-wicket.
Voll was ultimately dismissed for 101 with 13 fours and a six off 82 balls. Litchfield once again ripped at the Indian bowlers with her dominant stroke play on either side of the wickets, even if Voll was free to select the gaps and score a lot of runs on the on-side.
But, as has happened a few times previously, Litchfield was solely to blame when she crowded out of space and failed to connect on a ramp shot, causing Gaud’s delivery to strike the top of the middle stump. During her 62-ball knock, Litchfield struck 11 fours and a six.
India claimed two late wickets to stop Australia’s progress, and Gautam had earlier cleaned out Alyssa Healy (6) with a lovely inswinger for an early breakthrough, but none of that aided the visitors.
Australia presently leads the all-format series 6-4 with one ODI (two points) and one Test (four points) remaining.
Earlier, India crossed 250 thanks to half-centuries from Pratika and captain Harmanpreet.
India got off to a great start because of Pratika’s knock off 81 balls with six fours, but Harmanpreet’s innings off 70 balls was even more important following a lurch in the middle overs.
As India sought to capitalize on favorable batting conditions, Rawal gave a solid start with a 78-run partnership with Mandhana (31). But for the second time in the series, the Indians found themselves in danger due to a poor shot selection.
Jemimah Rodrigues (11) played a sloppy shot outside the off-stump to be caught behind off Annabel Sutherland (2/37), while Mandhana, who had also received two reprieves, botched a paddle sweep and Ashleigh Gardner’s (2/39) delivery struck her leg-stump.
In an attempt to get off the blocks immediately, Deepti Sharma (1) was caught at deep mid-wicket by Alana King (2/41), who also pinned the dangerous Richa Ghosh leg-before for 22.
To her credit, Gautam (25) helped India surpass 200 runs by putting on a crucial 55-run partnership with Harmanpreet for the seventh wicket.
The same venue will host the third ODI on Sunday.
